Cover Girl

Swatches: CoverGirl TruNaked Golden's Pallet

9:00 AM


CoverGirl has introduced a new eyeshadow pallet targeting the Urban Decay Naked series.  There are three pallets (Goldens, Roses and Nudes).  I instantly went towards the Goldens, so I had to buy them to try it out.  These retail around $10-$12, depending on where you purchase.


These truly are beautiful.  Talk about compatible, shimmer-filled, gorgeousness.  

I have tried CoverGirl shadows before only to be disappointed at the texture and pigmentation.  Let me just tell you, that is not the case here.  These shadows couldn't be more pigmented and blendable.  I used the Cinderella eyeshadow primer that is available at Walgreens (this stuff is amazing if you haven't tried it, and only $2.99!)


Swatches are below over the primer.  There is also a video to try and capture the sparkle and duochorome of some of the colors.  I will also post a couple of FOTD's using these!  




Have you picked up any of these pallets?  What do you think?  

Dupes

Spotted at Walgreens: Profusion Perfect 10 Eyeshadow Pallets - Urban Decay Naked Dupes??

10:28 AM

 
Walgreens has started putting out their holiday beauty products, and this one instantly caught my eye on an end cap.  It is by Profusion, called the Perfect Ten eyeshadow pallet.  There were two pallets, each retailing at $4.99. 
 
The first pallet, below, was called Midnight Fever and consisted of 10 shimmery colors, leaning more taupe and gray. 

 
The second pallet, called Sultry and Neutral, has half shimmery and half matte colors.  Most of the mattes were the light shades, where the shimmery shades were goldens and bronzes. 

 
I picked up both of these and will swatch them, hopefully tonight.  I didn't have the chance to do so last night for you guys.
 
Gorgeous, aren't they?  The colors look really good and smooth, but only a swatch will tell!

Dupes

NOTD: Revlon Whimsical Nail Polish

9:32 AM


Revlon Whimsical: A pale periwinkle creme with large light blue and light pink hex glitter as well as smaller square glitter in a pale blue.  This is not a fully packed glitter polish, but instead they apply very sparsely to the nails.  This is a Deborah Lippmann dupe of Glitter in the Air, based on the swatch comparison's I've seen online.

Above is 3 coats, with no base coat.  I am actually thinking next time I'm going to use a pale nude or white color underneath to really make the polish stand out.  I found I didn't get quite the opaque coverage that some other swatchers have, so maybe I need to give my bottle a good mixing. 

This is a really pretty shade - very light and springy.  Also, this is a nice way to wear blues or glitter to work if you need to be a bit more conservative. 


Chanel

Spotted at Meijer and Swatch Comparison: Revlon "Carbonite" Nail Polish - A Chanel Graphite dupe? Let's take a look...

9:12 AM


First of all, what is graphite, besides what is in your pencil?  Well above is a picture of it...


Above is the display that the Revlon Carbonite comes on.  This is another one of their Limited Edition colors, just in line with Black with Envy and Perplex.  This is a dupe of Chanel Graphite, and since I have Graphite I thought I'd show you some side-by-sides of the two.

Actually, this is a really good dupe.  There are slight differences, which I'll get into here shortly, but overall, when you look at these side-by-side, it's hard to tell them apart. 


Both have a deep pewter gray base with silver micro-glitter.  Chanel's glitter/shimmer is a bit larger and more complex than the Revlon.  Chanel has hints of very pale, almost silver-gold glitter, giving it a hint more of a warmer tone than the Carbonite.  Where Graphite has the golden shimmer, Carbonite has hints of darker gray shimmer though out.


With the flash, below, you can really see how much shimmer is in the Chanel.  I think what is really *lighting up* the bottle there is that pale gold shimmer that is in Graphite, that isn't in Carbonite.



OK, now onto so side by side swatches on the nail.  I didn't clean up these swatches, so please ignore the mess.


See that hint of gold above?


In this picture, you can really see the difference in the microglitter size in Chanel vs. Carbonite.  Where Carbonite is really a true metallic, Graphite borders on being a microglitter polish.


Then again, when you see them in natural light, side by side, there is very little difference.  I will say, the Revlon is a bit thicker and more intense upon application, where Chanel is a thinner and a bit more sheer of a polish.  Both are two coats, but I think the Chanel could afford three.  I am going to be doing a full fledge manicure with Chanel shortly, so I'll post those pictures once completed.

Well, what do you think?  Does Revlon Carbonite match that of Chanel Graphite?  Have you seen the Revlon Carbonite displays yet?  In my opinion, if you see this and have been lusting over the Chanel Graphite, I'd definitely pick it up - it's worth the spend, and can easily satisfy your need! 

Avon

Avon MagiX Illuminator in Fair - my new HG concealer?

9:33 AM


From the Avon website:

Instantly brightens skin and banishes dark shadows…like magic! The magic pen that erases signs of fatigue... and makes you look like you’ve had hours of beauty sleep (even when you haven't). Use it all over – around eyes, hollow of cheeks or chin. Wear alone – or over or under foundation to look flawless up to 10 hours! Purse-perfect essential for a quick pick-me-up any time, anywhere. .05 oz. net wt.

I have been looking for a good concealer for years.  I used to use the sticks when I was younger, and as I've gotten older have moved towards "anti-aging" concealers, in hopes that I wouldn't look dry and crepey.  My biggest concern is the dark circles under my eyes.  I am extremely fair, and with that comes very thin translucent skin under my eyes, which every morning seem to get darker and darker.  If I found one that covered, it either creased and became cakey or dried my skin out - I had yet to find a concealer that covered, brightened and lasted without any side-effects.  Even the Dream Mousse I loved became cakey and dry after a few weeks of use. 

Well, I think I've found the perfect concealer for me - Avon MagiX Illuminator in Fair.  I'm not sure how much you follow Avon, but of recent they have tried to make affordable alternatives to the high end "cult" followings in the market.  From Chanel blushes to Yves Saint Laurent Touch Eclat, as this MagiX Illuminator is a fantastic dupe for, Avon has really stepped up the quality of the items they product.  Just as the Touch Eclat, this is a *click* pen that has a very light, creamy, and illuminating concealer that can either be applied with the pen itself, or with your finger tips (my preference). 




There are three colors available: Light, Medium and Deep.  The formula is very creamy and light, but buildable.  This doesn't cake.  It doesn't dry out your skin.  If you use liquid or mineral/powder foundation the Illuminator works well under both.  Not only does the formula have coverage, but it has a little iridescence, which helps facilitate in the coverage and brightening under the eyes.  I also use it on the inner corners and around my nose to help hide any discoloration and brighten the eye area.  Below you can see the consistency pretty well - notice how smooth this brushes on?


And, just for the final proof, below is a before and after of the product.  Before I have nothing on but moisturizer.  After there are two versions:  The Illuminator alone, and under my Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten in Porcelain. 




I recently discovered the magic that is a facial primer, so that helps with the minute flaws/pores in the pictures above, but that's besides the point.  I am loving the coverage, the lasting power, and most of all, the price!  Right now the Avon MagiX Illuminator is on sale for $7.99!  I would definitely suggest giving this one a whirl!

Have you tried the Avon MagiX Illuminator?  What about the Yve's Saint Laurent Touch Elcat?  Both?  What did you think?

Dupes

Review: Essence Lash Mania Mascara...a Diorshow Dupe??

8:35 AM


In addition to my post yesterday, I also bought essence's Lash Mania Mascara, which retails around $3.99 a tube.  Now, I'm big on first impressions, and when I pulled out the tube and looked at it, the first thing I thought was....

Dior Show Mascara!  Could we possibly have a dupe on our hands??





The brush in the essence Lash Mania mascara is quite similar to the Diorshow.  This is a larger brush, with the spiraled, individual bristles running down the brush.  I did notice this brush is a lot fatter than a typical brush, which is also reminiscent of the Diorshow mascara. 


The product itself is not quite as wet as Diorshow - but...that's not to say that it's dry in the tube.  It's just not as wet/thin as Diorshow.  Application was was a breeze.  Every lash was coated with mascara, and because of the fatness and consistency of the essence mascara, there was no clumping or glopping together of the lashes.  I also didn't get the smearing of mascara on the lid/under eyes that a lot of the fatter brushes tend to present - I think this has to do with the constency of the product as well.

On the other hand, although for the price I think this is an excellent mascara, there are a few things that this leaves me wanting.  For one, I don't think this has quite the lengthing power that some other mascaras on the market have, including Diorshow.  Yes, there is great volume and separation of the lashes, but the length leaves a little to be desired.  The color isn't quite as intense a black as some others, either.  Personally, I find that a really deep, intense, black mascara can really enhance the lashes and eyes, regardless of how thick or long they are. 

Overall, I really can't complain too much about the mascara.  I've been using this for two weeks and haven't switched back to any other tubes in my collection.  The pricepoint is unbelievable - there aren't even any other drugstore brands that come close to the $3.99 price tag this day and age.  The product wears well all day and doesn't flake or smear.  For a simple, not over the top dramatic mascara, this one is definitely worth a try!

Chanel

Reader Question: Dupes for Chanel Foundations

8:00 AM

One of my lovley readers, Maggie, is looking for some assitance with regards to duping her favorite Chanel foundations, one of which the shade isn't made anymore.  I did some research at the department store counters, but seeing as I am a mineral-makeup girl, I thought I would see what you all thought!



Mat Lumiere Fluide in Porcelaine or Ivory

or

Teinte Innocence in Gentle Ivory (Teinte Pur Mat in Fawn was the best match EVER but they don't make it anymore).

Maggie and I would both love to hear your thoughts, experiences, etc...

High End and drug-store brands are both welcome!  Thank you all so much - you're the best!

blogs

Nouveau Cheap Blog- New Drugstore Finds: Milani, Prestige, Jesse's Girl...

8:50 AM

How many of you are trying to save money while still looking fabulous? Well, hop on over to Nouveau Cheap, where the lovely Recessionista gives us the details on all the drugstore brands, and even compares some high ends (like Nars, MAC, etc) against lines such as Wet 'n' Wild to help us find economical dupes! She thoroughly tests items to ensure the quality meets or exceeds that of the high end competitor!


Recently she posted about all the new drugstore products/collections that are available, and there are several I am going to be looking for:

1. Jesse's Girl Baked Eyeshadows
2. Milani Eye Am Perfect Liquid Eyeliners (I am SUPER excited about these!)
3. Prestige Skin Loving Minerals

Click the link above and see what she has found. What about you?? Have you seen these in your drugstores yet? I haven't, but I am keeping my fingers crossed for them to show up soon!

Deals

Nars "O" Dupes (Milani Luminous, Wet 'n Wild Pearlescent Pink, Loreal Front Page Peach and Ulta Afterglow)

8:00 AM

Something I find I am always trying to do is find a good knockoff of a product in a drugstore brand. I posted a few days ago about a good duplicate of the Urban Decay Primer Potion in the Lumene Beauty Base Eye Makeup Base, and now I am going to tackle the infamous Nars O blush.

While going through my collection of blushes, I discovered I have about every possible knockoff available, so I thought I'd line them up against the real deal - Nars.

Wet 'n Wild "Pearlescent Pink" - shimmering pink/coral - more pink than coral with golden shimmers.

Ulta Blush "Afterglow" - shimmering pink with coral/gold sparkles - cooler undertones than Nars O.

Milani "Luminous" - coral blush with golden shimmers and a more golden undertone.

Loreal "Front Page Peach" - pale coral with a hint of pink and very golden shimmers.

From the swatches below you can see the similarities and differences in all the colors. Depending on your skintone, some might work better than others (i.e. darker skintones might want the deeper corals of Ulta Afterglow and Wet 'n Wild Pearlescent Pink). I think that of the four I am comparing to Nars, that Loreal Front Page Peach and Milani Luminous are the best in actual comparison. Loreal has a bit more golden shimmer, and the Milani isn't quite as pigmented as the Nars, but all in all, these are the most similar. Milani's you should be able to find at any of your local drug stores, where Loreal Front Page Peach I had to purchase on Ebay.
Because I just received the Loreal Front Page Peach in the mail yesterday, I had to play around with it and see if I liked the color or not - which I do! Not only is it a great flush, but it has a beautiful glow associated with it. The glow isn't quite as evident below, but this is a beautiful blush!


Dupes

NYC Liquid Lip Shine "Sungold Pink"

8:44 AM

I was in Walmart a few days ago, and made a pit stop over in the cosmetics isle to see if there was anything I had to have. Once there, I remebered a few mentions on MUA as well as other boards about a couple great NARS Orgasm lipgloss dupes, so I thought I'd see if ours had any of them.


One in particular was the NYC Liquid Lip Shine in "Sungold Pink". I've picked up bits and peices of the NYC line over the years because for the price, it's fantastic! At a price of $1.99 per gloss, you just can't beat it.
I wish I had a picture of the Nars side by side with the NYC lip gloss, but unfortunately I don't own the Nars itself (hopefully someday!).

I have worn this the past few days, and it is an absolutely beautiful gloss for the price. I would highly recommend that you pick this one up if you are by your local Walmart, or anywhere else that carrys NYC for you!

Dupes

Swatch: Milani Blush "Luminious"

11:30 AM

I've been reading reviews and chatter on the makeup boards about the dupes for the ever-popular Nars Orgasm blush and lip glosses. The one that was mentioned numerous times as a fantastic drug store dupe is the Milani blush in "Luminous". Although the first pictures makes it look intensely pink, it is a warm pink-coral color with a nice gold frost in it. The second picture is a great indication as to the true color. As you can see, there is lots of frost (not sparkle) to the blush, giving a beautiful and natural glow. I was pleasantly suprised at how smooth and almost "wet" the blush felt. Although it is a powder blush, there is nothing chalky or dry about this when applying.




I wish I actually had the Nars Orgasm to compare this to with swatches, but unfortunately it is not in my portfolio quite yet! :) Some day, hopefully sooner rather than later, I will pick that one up. But for the time being, below is my swatch for the Luminous blush. This one is a beauty, and for $5.99, it's hard to beat. Even better, right now, CVS has buy one get one half on Milani (amongst numerous other brands)!

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